The sacrum, often overlooked, plays a vital role in both spinal health and overall movement. It's not just a single bone but a fusion of five vertebrae that occurs as we age, usually completing the process in our 20s. Despite this fusion, the sacrum is part of a dynamic system that requires awareness and movement to stay healthy.
Yoga and creativity share a special connection. Both require us to move beyond the confines of the familiar, to explore the unknown, and to embrace the perspective of a beginner—a fresh lens through which we see the world. This convergence of yoga and creativity is a catalyst for inspiration, opening doors to new ideas, perspectives, and ways of being.
Yoga therapy is fundamentally about empowering you to take an active approach to self-care through the tailored application of yoga. Unlike general group classes, which aim to benefit a wide range of participants, yoga therapy offers a personalized and evolving practice that addresses specific health challenges and promotes overall well-being.
iRest Yoga Nidra can be perceived as resting, especially since rest is in the name, and we all are not people who rest. Resting can even be a bit scary. It is easy to wonder: Will everything be OK if I slow down and rest? What if I told you that iRest Yoga Nidra is active resting? You are doing something. You are actively listening to a voice, following the prompts, re-wiring your brain, and improving your health.
For many people, their first exposure to yoga is the physical practice, referred to as yoga āsana. Everyone’s body is different so their physical practice will be different. No matter how you practice yoga āsana, you are integrating the physical, energetic and spiritual body. Yoga āsana offers a tangible tool to cultivate stillness through movement.
Yoga is a dynamic practice that generates a healthy stress on the bones and connective tissues. Rather than assigning rigid labels of good or bad to specific postures, it is best to approach our practice in a functional way. There is not a one-size-fits-all posture that suits every body or one that is suitable all the time. Certain postures can create imbalance if not approached mindfully.
Strengthening the core, whether done in Yoga or other practices, are impacting the fight-or-flight response. In 2016, Peter Strick, a leading neuroscientist at the University of Pittsburgh mapped the connection between the core muscles, adrenal glands, and brain. The awareness that we gain through mindful yoga practices leave a positive imprint throughout our day.
Having osteoporosis shouldn’t prevent you from engaging in physical activity. Movement such as those done in Yoga can support healthy bones. A 2016 study reported that 12 minutes of yoga appeared to raise bone mineral density in the spine and the femur safely. Yoga is also good for your balance, flexibility, brain and more. However, not all yoga postures are beneficial for everybody’s skeleton. Some yoga postures and movements are associated with risks for those with osteoporosis. Therefore, it is important to equip yourself with knowledge about what movements are safe and what movements should be avoided.
Yin yoga incorporates the opportunity to spend more time in lying, kneeling and seated yoga poses. This practice provides an environment where we can spend time nourishing the deeper layers of the body and energy meridians, while incorporating mindfulness practices to support calming of the mind and nervous system.
In the simple words of Bernie Clark, “you are unique – so is your yoga.” This uniqueness is defined by an array of biological strengths and limitations that constitute who we are. When we practice yoga from a functional approach, we recognize and honor our anatomical differences to move safely and effectively and minimize the risk of injury. Rather than limiting ourselves by the notion of what we think a pose should look like, functional yoga emphasizes the felt experience that arises when performing a pose. When we focus on the intention of a posture, as opposed to its aesthetic appeal, we develop a practice that will support us in maintaining healthy movement patterns for the duration of our lives.
Spring is a time of growth and change. Nature is getting ready for summer. Rain and bright floral fragrances are becoming part of our lives again. You might notice a heaviness to your body in the morning as the body also readies itself to blossom. Practicing yoga is a great way to counteract the grounding energy of spring. Dogwood Studios is here to support you during this season of transition.
Have you ever been in a situation where you had low energy and felt rejuvenated by being in nature? According to yoga, nature provides us with a subtle form of energy, called prana. Prana is the life force that animates consciousness. It is similar to the Chinese concept of qi. As we breathe, we take in oxygen from the air and with it the subtle energy of prana.
Fall is a good time to practice self care that nourishes and warms the body and mind. Grounding practices of yoga and meditation help you keep your balance as Nature around us starts to prepare for winter because our bodies and our minds are also preparing for winter. Just like we balance out our active Yang practice with a calming Yin practice, we need to balance the variability of fall with grounding and nourishing activities to keep us rooted. Fall is the time to let go of the heat and intensity of the summer and embrace the heaviness that is approaching. We can find our balance between summer and winter’s energy by making self care an intentional aspect of our daily routine.
Yoga has become more popular in the United States over the last couple of decades. The Yoga Alliance published a study about the growth in popularity of yoga in 2016. Since then, it has continued to grow. Many who are unfamiliar with yoga see images of skinny yogis twisting themselves into an artistic pose and think that is what yoga is all about. Yoga can be for any body, young or old, fit or new to exercise, arthritic or post-surgery. Just as we understand that exercising is great for our health without needing to become a bodybuilder, we can enjoy yoga without needing to worry about attaining a perfect and artistic pose.
